Determination of the ship inspection rate targets within the scope of the Black Sea memorandum of understanding new inspection regime

The Black Sea Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (BS MoU), aiming to make inspections more effective and targeted, has been implementing new inspection regime (NIR) since 2016. This study examines ship inspection rate targets under the BS MoU NIR. The main objective of the study is to explore the necessity of Port State Control (PSC) inspections conducted during port visits for ships according to priority classification specifically under the BS MoU. In this context, this study focuses on determining inspection targets on both regional level and a national basis, considering the unique structure of the Black Sea region, the geographical locations of the States in the region and their resources related to PSC inspections. In this study, the performance of ship inspections by BS MoU member states was evaluated using data from PSC inspections conducted in the Black Sea region between 2016 and 2023. The study provides critical insights for improving ship inspection processes and enhancing regional maritime safety. It emphasizes the necessity of incorporating the Ship Watch List (SWL) application into the inspection regime under the Black Sea Memorandum. Furthermore, it offers recommendations for a comprehensive evaluation of ship inspection targets and commitments within the Memorandum. The study is expected to form the basis for strategic planning aimed at eliminating substandard ships in the Black Sea region and would serve as a model for other developing regional PSC regimes.